A technician is wearing a respirator while working with hazardous chemicals. What type of control is this?

Wearing a respirator while working with hazardous chemicals falls under the category of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE is designed to protect the individual from exposure to hazards that can cause injury or illness. In this case, the respirator serves as a barrier against airborne contaminants and helps to prevent inhalation of harmful chemicals.

PPE is considered a form of hazard control that is used when other controls, such as engineering or administrative measures, may not be adequate on their own to ensure safety. Proper use of PPE is essential in situations involving hazardous materials, as it directly protects the worker's health.

Other types of controls, such as substitution, engineering, and administrative controls, focus on either changing the process, modifying the environment, or establishing policies and procedures, respectively, rather than providing direct personal protection. Thus, the respirator specifically qualifies as personal protective equipment in this scenario.